Did you know that YOU have a say in your government? That’s right! You may think you have no impact because you aren’t old enough to vote. Voting is very important, but it’s only one part of democracy. Our Constitution calls for “a government of the people,” and that includes you. Yeah, you!
Government of the People
Governments exist to serve the people. They help us to be part of things that we would not be able to do on our own. For instance, governments keep our roads safe so that people can get from place to place. Laws help to protect citizens from crime and discrimination. Your school may get money from the government to provide textbooks, lunch or other necessary things. Governments have three very important roles: to promote human dignity, protect human rights and build the common good.
In order for governments to do these things, everyone must participate. This means being active citizens in our local community, our state and our country. You might think this is a lot to ask of a kid, but luckily there are many ways we can all participate in governments!
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